kojakt's Hack Reviews - Metroid Construction

So Little Time by MetroidMst [

Spoof], rated by kojakt on Feb 11, 2017 (

)

83% in 0:59

Difficult. Disorienting. Ambitious. Unique. I wanted to give this a 3 rating, (and I eventually decided that I would) as I think it requires a much different thought process than the original game and most hacks, and there's something to be said for abandoning that tried and true formula, especially with the brute force in which it's been done here, but I'm pretty certain I wouldn't have completed this hack without help. If you enjoy logic puzzles, and you have a somewhat advanced understanding of Super Metroid, I could imagine it actually being a pretty enjoyable challenge, at least for the first 3/4 of the game. Although I can see the matter of SLT's puzzle difficulty to be subjective to some degree, I think it's fair to say that, overall, it's a very difficult challenge, and is best played with alcohol, a Mensa membership, (unless my dunce cap just slid over my eyes while I was playing), and some positive past encounters with MetroidMST. Definitely not for the casual player. If there's someone out there you don't like who plays SM hacks, you should recommend this to them, unless they might be secretly brilliant at solving puzzles. 5.75/10

Project Base 0.8.1 by begrimed [

Improvement], rated by kojakt on Feb 11, 2017 (

)

No completion stats.

When it comes to being an objectively great hack, PB checks off nearly every box. Everything that is unique in this hack feels complimented by something that is familiar. It's got something for players of almost all skill levels. It has an intrinsic balance that feels both simple and brilliant. This is a really, really well made hack that demonstrates a little bit of almost every edit that one could do to make a hack that is accessible to everyone while also feeling like a unique experience. This would likely be the first hack I'd recommend to someone who is totally new to the scene. 9.5/10 overall. Certainly one of the best

Hyper Metroid by RealRed [

Exploration], rated by kojakt on Feb 11, 2017 (

)

No completion stats.

As you might have guessed by the "5" rating that I've given this hack, I have a ton of respect for what was done here. Hyper feels like wholly unique experience, and it's among the most ambitious hacks that I've played. With that said, it wasn't my favorite hack to play through, and at points felt a little unbalanced in it's difficulty, but it was still very enjoyable and absolutely deserves this rating. I'd recommend it for anyone who has completed the original game more than once. 9/10

Super Metroid: Y-Faster by Metaquarius [

Speedrun/Race], rated by kojakt on Feb 11, 2017 (

)

No completion stats.

I love this hack! As of writing this, I've played roughly 30-40 hacks, give or take, and, for me, this is one of the two or three best. I'm sure it has its flaws, but I had way too much fun to give a damn. Possibly the most rewarding ending of any hack I've played. Not a major time investment at all. Go play this hack! 10/10

Super Made In Metroid - Attack Of The Rinkas by pontarou [

Unknown], rated by kojakt on Feb 11, 2017 (

)

No completion stats.

This was a very unique hack in so many ways. Its simple design eliminates some of the inherent confusion that comes from playing Super Metroid in its tradition open-world layout. At no time did I feel like I was lost or wasting time, for good reason. Definitely worth playing. 8/10

So Little Garden by MetroidMst [

Exploration], rated by kojakt on Feb 11, 2017 (

)

No completion stats.

This hack belongs amongst the best. It tries to be so many different things, and it succeeds at basically all of them. Atmospheric, frustrating, unique, and fun, SLG does so many things well that it's hard to identify things to be objectively critical of. If you were to try to make a hack and it came up just short of SLG, you'd have done a really good job. Highly recommend giving this one a shot. You won't be disappointed. Excellent soundtrack as well. 9.5/10

Super Metroid: Escape II by Hiroishi [

Exploration], rated by kojakt on Feb 11, 2017 (

)

No completion stats.

Escape 2 does a lot of things really well, and the alterations to the movement mechanics are some of the most ambitious and rewarding that I've come across. The reason I gave this a 4 is because of how confusing I found it to make my way around the planet. With that said, it's a really well made hack and pretty fun as well. 8.25/10

Ice Metal Uninstall by Crys [

Exploration], rated by kojakt on Feb 11, 2017 (

)

No completion stats.

I debated for a bit whether to give this hack a 4 or 5 rating, but ultimately decided 5, and I'll explain why. For me, a 4 star hack has to do almost everything well, and, for me, IMU does just that. It's got good level design, quality graphical edits, and is an overall enjoyable hack to play. To get 5 stars, a hack has to do something that makes it totally unique, and IMU had one thing for me that sets it apart from any other hack: it's difficulty. And the aspect of it's difficulty that is so unique to me is that it most closely mirrors the difficulty of the original game better than any other hack, especially considering the complete overhaul to the level design. It's possible to feel stuck without feeling lost. The game doesn't allow the player to get too far ahead only to have to backtrack and explore vast areas in order to find a progression piece. It doesn't throw you into unfair boss fights or leave you underpowered at any particular point. All of these aspects create the impression of excellent level design and difficulty curve. I'd recommend this hack to anyone, even without the qualifier that they've beaten the original game. That, to me, speaks volumes about this hack. 8.5/10

Snowglobe by Scyzer [

Quick Play], rated by kojakt on Feb 11, 2017 (

)

No completion stats.

A fun little hack with minimal time investment. You won't encounter much stress, if any, and it will likely put a smile on your face. 7.5/10

SMConflict by SMILEuser96 [

Exploration], rated by kojakt on Feb 11, 2017 (

)

No completion stats.

This might be my favorite hack! It's certainly in the top two or three. Conflict is such an anomaly that it's hard for me to say much about it without giving things away. For me, it feels like this hack is playfully mocking the player, the original content of Super Metroid, and anyone who has ever taken a game too seriously, and possibly even the creator himself. Take all of the great design aspects of the original game and mix it with the absurdity of a game like Katamari Damacy or Mount Your Friends, and that would be how I would describe this hack without actually explaining the point of it. Also, it has the best soundtrack of any SM hack. (This is not an opinion. There has been research backed by mountains of empirical evidence that exists only in my head to back up this claim.) This is a hack that has flaws, but I couldn't care less. The whole experience was just too enjoyable. It also has the best soundtrack, and the best soundtrack. Get where I'm going with this? Go play this hack. 9.5/10

Super Zero Mission by SBniconico [

Exploration], rated by kojakt on Feb 11, 2017 (

)

No completion stats.

I'm not a huge fan of particularly difficult hacks, but SZM makes up for being difficult by doing just about everything else really well, and many things excellently. I've seen but not played Zero Mission, yet it was easy to imply just how similar and different that this hack was from that game. The atmosphere and mechanics made me feel as though I was playing a game that was so different from Super Metroid, yet obviously built from Super Metroid in all of the best ways. Its level design was complex and confusing. It was easy to get lost or not know how to progress. I definitely felt like I was playing a game that required a player's guide or an abundance of patience and attention to detail to actually beat. But the amount of secrets, shortcuts, different paths to certain locations, and the intricate puzzle created by the level design kept me intrigued, and a bit frustrated, for most of the time I played it. My advice: don't be a hero. The internet is a thing, so if you get stuck, go find out where to go next. It will make the experience much more enjoyable. This shouldn't be your first hack to play, and you should try to have some familiarity with the mechanics of Super Metroid and with this hack, especially the shinespark mechanics. Then, when you have some time, SZM is well worth exploring. 9/10

Super Metroid: Z-Factor by Metaquarius [

Exploration], rated by kojakt on Feb 11, 2017 (

)

No completion stats.

This is one of the first full hacks that I completed, and is still one of my favorites. To me, Z-factor is like the Super Metroid version of "Ocarina of Time: Master Quest". It's is larger, and more difficult, but not to an extreme degree. It is both familiar and different at the same time. There are places where you might want to cheat a little bit and find out your next move by asking around or finding some information online, but, for the most part, a little exploration will eventually take you where you need to go, and that should be always be your first move, because that is what really makes this hack stand out. Exploration in hacks can often feel cumbersome, involving a lot of backtracking or finding major items in obscure locations, whereas Z-factor felt very much like the original game, but on a larger scale, and I mean that in the very best way. I guess the best praise I can give to this hack was that I felt like I did when I played the original Super Metroid for the first time, and for me, and a I'm sure many others who have played SM over and over again, this game satisfies that longing to experience SM like that again. Other hacks have been more ambitious, but doing something simple extremely well, as Z-factor does, often beats doing something complex at the expense of excellence, in my opinion. Whether you've beaten SM a few times, or know Zebes like the back of your hand, this game is for you. 9.5/10

Reimagined by SavageWizzrobe [

Exploration], rated by kojakt on Feb 11, 2017 (

)

No completion stats.

It's hard for me to be critical of Reimagined. There's a healthy amount of exploration. It doesn't force the player to be unreasonably knowledgeable or skilled to complete the game. It takes the standard Super Metroid formula and puts it to good use. My opinion is that the core objective of a hack is to be fun, and I think Reimagined accomplishes this. I think it is in the upper tier of very good hacks, and falls just short of great, and that's because it doesn't seem to attempt to be unique. This, of course, is a very subjective criticism, but it is the one thing that keeps this hack from really standing out, from my perspective. With that said, I really did enjoy the pace of the game and the high potential for sequence-breaking, which I may actually look into one day, and would recommend others do as well. I'd recommend this hack for anyone who's beaten the original game more than once. 8/10

Super Metroid: So Much Hell by The Monster of Surrealton [

Spoof], rated by kojakt on Feb 11, 2017 (

)

No completion stats.

The name is pretty accurate. I believe that this hack accomplishes what it sets out to do, which is to just make the player's life miserable, so I'm kind of torn between giving this a 2 or 3 rating, but I had to settle for a 2, though I'm not fully satisfied with it. I actually liked the crazy color pallets, to be honest, but even the most sadistic SM player would probably want some variety to the ways they'll be tortured for the duration of the game. And some tangible reward beyond surviving said torture. If you want a challenge, this certainly is one, but you probably won't get that dopamine release to keep you going through the whole thing. 4.75/10

Super Metroid Contamination by Lioran, Aran;Jaeger [

Challenge], rated by kojakt on Feb 08, 2018 (

)

No completion stats.

A hack anyone can play and (almost) nobody can beat blindly, Contamination is unique in a way matched only by its predecessor, Containment Chamber (which I would highly recommend playing before starting this one.) Basically a showcase of many of SM’s lesser known mechanics, (or rather an exploitation of its physics?) this hack will challenge every player, from the beginner to elite masters of the game, but does so without repeated death or demanding high-level execution. The challenge lies within solving problems and learning the game’s most obscure mechanical possibilities. Each room is a new puzzle that will leave you scratching your head for hours, making each breakthrough massively rewarding. The completely remade soundtrack perfectly compliments what feels like an entirely new SM experience. Lioran and Aran Jaeger show what can be done when an obsessively intimate knowledge of the game is combined with the vision, acumen, and ability of a high-quality hacker. If you think you know a lot about SM, this hack is here to prove you wrong. 9/10

Also, as mentioned in the hack description, I would recommend contacting Lioran if you do stream this hack. Having the author there to offer insight as you progress or advice if you get stuck adds an extra level of enjoyment and accessibility.

Super Metroid Containment Chamber by Lioran [

Challenge], rated by kojakt on Feb 08, 2018 (

)

No completion stats.

As an experienced player and someone with a pretty strong grasp of SM’s mechanics, this is one of the most fun hacks that I’ve ever played. Each room is a puzzle that requires outside-the-box thinking and/or a fairly high-level of both understanding and executing mechanics that wouldn’t normally be used in a playthrough or speedrun. It’s full of challenging and highly rewarding puzzles accompanied by a remixed soundtrack that enhances the feeling of experiencing something new.. If you’re well-versed in the game, this hack lets you utilize some of the deeper knowledge you’ve acquired along the way. If you’re a beginner, Containment Chamber is a great opportunity to explore some of the depth that SM has to offer that would otherwise be strictly novel in its nature. Either way, I would absolutely recommend this hack to anyone who has done any speedrunning or played around with some of the more advanced tech. Truly one of the best. 9.5/10

Super Metroid Clocktoberfest by Aran;Jaeger, moehr [

Exploration], rated by kojakt on Mar 16, 2020 (

)

70% in 3:30

So I want to start by saying that this hack can be initially off-putting, but there is real depth here if you give it a chance, explore its mechanics, and pay attention, and I recommend that you do.

The first screen you encounter is going to disorient you, and that will probably continue beyond the first room. The graphics and tiling choices take some real patience to understand, and probably multiple playthroughs, and I can understand that being a drawback. I can agree in a sense in that it masks the underlying exploration that makes the hack enjoyable, but again, below the surface is where this hack really shines...

Where to start... The first thing I noticed, beyond the graphics, were new items. Each time I acquired something new it became pretty obvious that they functioned differently than vanilla items. It took a while to understand most items, but there's some unique stuff going on. Next, the day/night cycle was something I've not seen in an SM hack, and it turned out to be really cool and unique. The level and room layouts, while obscured at times by the graphics, ended up being well designed. I was a very big fan of the custom music. Lots of custom sprite work, custom enemies and bosses that were, again, unique and enjoyable. Once I was able to digest the tile choices, I realized that they had function, which was mostly to the prolong exploration.

I could ramble on about this hack, mostly because there's a lot of innovation here, but to summarize, it was relatively short and enjoyable, and in the end it's likely more of a novelty that can help spur more innovation, but when it comes down to it, I just had fun playing it, and that's probably the best way I can summarize it. I'd recommend giving it a try, especially experienced hack players.

7.5/10

Super Metroid: Ascent by Benox50 [

Exploration], rated by kojakt on Mar 18, 2020 (

)

80% in 9:30

Quite possibly the best hack I've played. In every way in which I could grade a hack, whether it be graphics, level design, mechanics, physics, new features, clarity, accessibility, facilitation of players of all different skill levels, and all the other ways you could imagine that I'm not mentioning here, this hack doesn't just succeed, it excels! With so many design choices to be made when creating a hack, it's almost unbelievable that nearly every aspect feels like the absolute best choice was made. It really is that good.

Any criticisms I could make about Ascent would be either personal preference or bias, or of certain elements simply being well above average whereas most elements of the hack set a standard of being exceptional. (Basically like someone giving you a Rolls Royce and you complaining about the interior trim color.)

I give Ascent the best compliment I could ever give a hack, which is that playing it for the first time reminded me of playing Super Metroid for the first time all those years ago. That same feeling of not wanting to stop, even for 5 minutes, intrigued by the wonder of what was coming next. If it were to somehow be exposed to a vast audience of typical everyday gamers, I believe it would be a hit game. I truly believe this hack sets a new standard and will spur future innovations to greater heights.

PLAY THIS HACK, PLAIN AND SIMPLE. Even if you've never played Super Metroid before. You'll be happy you did.

10/10

Super Metroid: Chester Can't Find His Goggles by Leodox [

Challenge], rated by kojakt on Jul 06, 2020 (

)

No completion stats.

One of my favorite challenge/puzzle hacks. Not much groundbreaking on the graphics or mechanical front. Just a really fun playthrough. Really creative puzzles. Being experienced with the mechanics of SM is a must, I rarely found myself stumped by the solution to a room, but to actually execute the techniques necessary to complete the rooms was often challenging but seldom frustrating. Fun for speedruns. I’d highly recommend this hack to veteran players. 8.5/10

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